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Brigadier General William Henry Winder Winder (rhymes with finder) started the war as a Colonel, but was part of the group of early promotions after the campaign of 1812. As a newly made Brigadier General he soon found himself as one of the two main commanders at the battle of Stoney Creek on June 6, 1813. During this night attack, Winder and his men attempted a withdrawal. Instead of escape, they ran into a British detachment about half their size. In the engagement, Winder armed with a pistol and a sword, came upon a British sergeant armed only with a bayonet (no musket.) The sergeant announced: If you stir, sir, you die. Winder immediately dropped both pistol and sword and announced: Your prisoner, sir. [Keep in mind Winder is armed with a loaded pistol, and the sergeant has only a detached bayonet.] Less than heroic, Winder does seem to be a fast talker. the British released him almost immediately and put him in charge of prisoner exchange parleys. . . for the British. He makes several trips between Quebec and Washington on their behalf.
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